On 8 June, the annual CIPR Excellence Awards was held, honouring both organisations and individuals which have this year excelled in the PR industry.

Set in what was previously Billingsgate Fish Market, a location with scenic views across the Thames, the historic location of Old Billingsgate Market provided the perfect backdrop to the night’s events.

With 700 delegates from 120 in-house and PR agencies in attendance, the CIPR Excellence Awards 2016 displayed talent across organisations of all sizes while recognising the unique contribution of each. Creative approaches to PR were rewarded, while success was enjoyed by organisations willing to innovate and remain relevant in an increasingly competitive climate.

‘Best event’, ‘Best use of media relations’ and ‘Consumer relations campaign’ awards went to consumer communications agency Tin Man, resulting in the biggest win of the night. The latter two accolades were both awarded for the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) campaign, ‘Pulling power: giving advanced driving courses sex appeal’, designed to encourage a greater uptake in motoring courses among younger drivers.

The 2016 Awards also commended the array of public and third sector campaigns which have enjoyed both charitable and commercial success. Notably, a campaign video created by NHS Sussex in partnership with media agency Spirit won the ‘Public sector campaign’ award for the ‘Not QUITE an emergency’ campaign.

Featuring television personality Dom Joly seeking public help for a number of minor ailments, with paramedics eventually arriving to his aid, the film aims to raise awareness of alternative treatment options from the NHS. This is particularly pertinent at a time of change and development for the health service.

Another notable winner from the public sphere, this time from the third sector, was WaterAid, with its #ifmenhadperiods campaign. With its three combined video campaigns garnering around 2.5mn views on YouTube, the campaign plays on the differences between gender-specific advertising. Ultimately, it aims to end taboos surrounding the menstrual cycle, and provide support for those in more challenging situations.

Comedian Hal Cruttendon hosted the event, with his mix of irreverent humour and wily observation entertaining the audience throughout the evening.

In a press release, CIPR president, Rob Brown, says, “The next time you hear someone question the role of the public relations, point them towards this year’s Excellence Awards winner list. Make no mistake, public relations campaigns are playing an increasingly prominent role in public services and across wider society. We’re creating campaigns that help shape society and drive positive behavioral change.”

Brown continues, “These awards are a magnificent celebration of creativity and professionalism and are rightly regarded as the most coveted in the industry. It’s tremendously pleasing to reward best practice and showcase the exceptional work that PR delivers for clients, employers and the public.”

“On behalf of the CIPR I would like to congratulate tonight's winners, all of whom have united to augment the standards of professional practice in public relations. Well done!”

The full list of winners is as follows:

Corporate and Business Communications Campaign

CYBG, Introducing the UK's largest challenger bank

Internal Communications Campaign

Northumbrian Water Group, Introducing Nature Watch

Consumer Relations Campaign

Tin Man, Pulling Power: Giving Advanced Driving Courses Sex Appeal

Public Sector Campaign

The NHS Sussex and Spirit, #notQUITEanemergency

Corporate Social Responsibility Campaign

Ketchum and P&G, Actions speak louder than words

Public Affairs Campaign

MHP Communications, Drop the Duty: a campaign to cut alcohol tax

Not-for-Profit Campaign

WaterAid, #ifmenhadperiods

Healthcare Campaign

Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Alder Hey in the Park: the Future of Children's Healthcare

Integrated Campaign

MHP Communications/Engine for NHS Blood and Transplant, Missing Type

Global Public Relations Campaign

Teamspirit Public Relations, Henderson Global Investors - Henderson Global Dividend Index

Issues or Crisis Management

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, Dangerous dogs

Automotive Campaign

Taylor Herring, Fit Kwik

Low Budget Campaign

Kelso Consulting, Black Friday website crashes

STEM Campaign

Brands2Life, Outlining the future of government digital services for EMC

Arts, Culture or Sport Campaign

Pitch, Betfair - Switching Saddles

Education Communications Campaign

University of Derby, Guide to Expertise: connecting the media with academic expertise

Best Use of Media Relations

Tin Man, Pulling Power: Giving Advanced Driving Courses Sex Appeal

Best Use of Digital

Mischief PR and the National Trust, Creating the Nation's Ode to the Coast

Best Use of Social Media

University of Glasgow, Social media promotion of the discovery of gravitational waves

Best External Publication

VisitScotland, Set in Scotland - A Film Fan's Odyssey

Best Internal Publication

beetroot, Outside In for Royal Bank of Scotland

Best Event

Tin Man, Sweet Success: Creating a Sunday Times Bestseller

Outstanding Young Communicator

Shaun Bell MCIPR, Stripe Communications

Outstanding Independent Practitioner

Hilary Berg Found.Chart.PR, MCIPR, Hilary Berg Consulting

CIPR IoD Public Relations Director of the Year

Nicola Green MCIPR, O2

Outstanding In-House Public Relations Team

Direct Line

Outstanding Small Public Relations Consultancy

Holistic

Outstanding Mid-Sized Public Relations Consultancy

Stripe Communications

Outstanding Large Public Relations Consultancy

Hotwire